Religion in the Modern World Traditions and Transformations

'An excellent textbook and essential reading for anyone who wishes to be up-to-date with major religious traditions in the modern era.' Bill Parsons, Santa Clara University 'An excellent and useful addition to the study of religions. I am particularly excited by the focus on contemporary manifestations of traditions with the emphasis on change. This counterbalances the usual historical and core beliefs approach which tends to ossify religious traditions.' Ron Geaves, University of Wolverhampton This is an unrivalled guide to contemporary religions. It brings together the methods of both the humanities and the social sciences to offer a cutting-edge introduction to the latest work in the study of religion. Religion in the Modern World is comprehensive in its coverage. It considers the main religious traditions of both Asia and the West, as well as new forms of religion and spirituality such as New Age. In addition to providing an historical introduction to each religion, the volume offers detailed and original analysis of their interactions with modernity. Topics covered include: religion, colonialism and postcolonialism; religious nationalism; women and religion; religion and globalization; secularization and sacralization; religion and authority; religion and the turn to self; the rise of new spiritualities. Religion in the Modern World is: ( Designed for those coming to the study of religion for the first time, as well as for those who wish to update their knowledge with the latest perspectives in the study of religion. ( Fully international in coverage, considering developments in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australasia and Asia. User-friendly and accessibly written by practising and specialist teachers: it includes case studies and anecdotes, text extracts, chapter menus and end-of-chapter summaries, glossaries and annotated further reading sections. Fully illustrated with a wide variety of photographs, figures, tables and maps. The editors: Linda Woodhead, Paul Fletcher, Hiroko Kawanami and David Smith are all members of the Religious Studies Department at Lancaster University, one of the leading international institutions in the study of religionWoodhead, Linda is the author of 'Religion in the Modern World Traditions and Transformations', published 2001 under ISBN 9780415217842 and ISBN 0415217849.